SEPT 7 — I believe that the movement “Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu” or “Himpunan Maruah Melayu” (HRB or HRM) has the right to protest for their cause. As long as the protest is peaceful and does not incite racial hatred and perpetrate violence, I have no problems with them having their rally.

As to the timing of their rally, it is debateable whether it should be held on September 16 – Malaysia Day. Perhaps, if it is an anti-Bersih movement, then it is best to hold it a day before; that is, September 15 so that the Malaysia Day celebration will not be disrupted then.

However, I have a bit of a reservation about the movement. First, there is secrecy about who are really leading the group. It is not like the Bersih movement who have a clear agenda and we all know who the leaders are whether we like them or not. Whenever a group chooses to remain anonymous, lessons from history tells us that more often than not such groups are up to no good. So my appeal is for the HRB or HRM group leaders make themselves publicly known and to what office they hold in the group.

Second, it has been reported that HRB or HRM is a protest against the Bersih movement. If this is so, then I take it to mean that HRB or HRM is against all the tenets that Bersih stands for. That is, HRB or HRM is against (1) Holding free and fair elections; (2) Having a transparent government; (3) Strengthening the system of parliamentary democracy and (4) Saving the national economy. If HRB or HRM are not agreeing to these agendas, then they do not have national interest in their concern.

An UMNO leader has indicated that UMNO will join the September 16 rally if invited. Is UMNO against the issues that Bersih stands for as well?

However, HRB or HRM and even the UMNO executive party secretary has chosen not to address the major issues of what Bersih stands for but instead focus on a fringe group who had stomped on the picture of the PM, which I think is certainly rude and whose action has been denounced by the Bersih organisers. Further, they try to distract the public into other minor issues.   

It has been reiterated by the Bersih movement that it is not to topple the government but to have their voice heard. It is a movement to protest on issues. Despite their clear stand, UMNO leaders have cast aspersions on Bersih. The Bersih rally which has come and gone and has proved to be peaceful showing that Malaysians who attended Bersih are a mature lot wanting to protest peacefully when they feel that no other avenue has been left for them to voice their grievances. 

Of course, there is nothing wrong to call upon the PM to resign because of the handling of the 1MDB issue. It is the people’s right to call upon the head of a government to resign if the people feel that their leader has lost their confidence to rule. It is their democratic right when done peacefully. In a parliamentary democracy when a leader has come under doubt because of alleged corruption, that leader should step down to prepare the way for a proper investigation. Only when he has been cleared can the person resume his former position. But this has not been done. Instead those who are involved in the investigation are transferred or moved out of their jobs so that the investigations have come to a halt. What do you expect the public to think? The natural conclusion is the government has something to hide.  

Bersih as I understand it is about very major issues facing our country today.

I appeal to our national leaders not to distract the public from side issues and to refrain from playing the race card, blaming the Christians and the Jews for the problems in our country which are of our own making. Instead they should focus on the issues of great public interest at this juncture of our nation, and go on to build a harmonious, progressive and prosperous nation.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.